We’re approaching a solar annular eclipse at 8 degrees Pisces on Sunday February 26th, exact at 6:58am PST. During an annular eclipse the moon crosses directly in front of the sun so there’s a ring of light around the moon. Astrologically, its effects are especially powerful and initiates themes we’ll be working with for several years to come.

This is a New Moon eclipse, meaning a new cycle is beginning. However, eclipses are also associated with endings: something is eclipsed out. This is also the final eclipse in the Pisces-Virgo eclipse series that’s been ongoing for the past 18 months. So this eclipse signals both endings and beginnings. Something is released to make way for something new.

The eclipse is conjunct Neptune in Pisces, and Mercury and Chiron are in Pisces as well. This lends a softness, a mystical, creative quality to the phase we are entering. We can expect a shift in the collective consciousness toward greater compassion and a sense of unity.

Pisces knows love. Not Hollywood movie love, or the heteronormative fantasy. But openhearted, compassionate love that asks nothing in return; that sees the other--really sees them, without imposing fantasy or projecting expectations onto them. Without picking them apart, deciding how they ought to change, which of their qualities are good or bad--that’s not love.

Pisces is about being more than doing. Pisces knows the external world reflects what’s within. If we want equality, we have to see ourselves as never less than or greater than anyone else. If we long for a world with fewer walls, we have to disassemble the walls in our hearts--at least those that are too high to let love in.

While there’s a significant emphasis on dreamy, mystical Pisces, there is also a lot of fire and passion in the air. There’s a continuing theme of personal freedom, and taking a stand. This energy has really ramped up in the past week, and may be quite intense. The good news is, there's fire enough to act on our dreams.

Mars is exactly conjunct Uranus, and very close to Eris in Aries, and both are opposite Jupiter in Libra, and square to Pluto in Capricorn. This is wild and unruly. There’s a potential for surprises, rash behaviour, assertion, breaking free. These planets together are highly potent, forceful, virile; to wield this energy requires consciousness.

Mars conjunct Uranus could spell impulsivity, rebellion, even violence. But if used wisely, it could be just the catalyst needed to demand freedom. Mars-Uranus wants to liberate us, to see us as sovereign, to inspire us to take control over our lives.

Pluto brings in themes of power, control, transformation, and the surfacing of repressed or hidden energies. There’s a potential for manipulation or destructive power dynamics. But with awareness, Pluto can help us to see beneath the surface, to understand power better, to work with themes that are taboo, and release repressed energy. There’s an opportunity for significant personal and social evolution through working with these themes.

The influence of Jupiter exaggerates the already intense energy, and adds a social justice bent. There’s inspiration to demand our own freedom, but also to demand it for others. Jupiter can bring joy and luck into the picture as well. Beware the temptation to overdo, overindulge, overextend--to seek more and more and more.

The positive potential here is of awakening and empowerment. As long as there is an outlet for the energy, the promise is of greater freedom and individuality. Put this energy to good use, otherwise you may find yourself acting impulsively, or saying something you later regret. Begin a new project, take a stand, be physical, assert yourself, enjoy some wild sex. If you need to confront someone, do it. If you become aware of power dynamics, say something. Take this opportunity to release a layer of social convention and conditioning that keeps us repressed, keeps us disempowered.

Most importantly, get clear on the internal landscape you wish to cultivate in service of the world you dream of. Our actions, and their results, stem directly from the quality of our consciousness. If we act out of fear and hatred, we will create a world with more of that. Imagine what would happen if enough of us acted from love?

See your horoscope for how this affects your sun & rising sign. See the calendar for exact dates of all transits, and what's happening astrologically on a daily basis.